11 of the Top Castles in Wales

The well-preserved, late-13th century Conwy Castle (Castell Conwy)—a fine example of Welsh fortress architecture—is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site of buildings constructed during King Edward I’s colonization and defense of Wales. These sites (which also include Caernarfon, Harlech, and Beaumaris Castles) are considered the finest examples of that era’s military architecture in Europe.

Conwy also sits in a picturesque location, to the north of the Snowdonia National Park (Eryri) in North Wales. The spiral staircases in the building’s imposing towers have been restored, so you can walk all the way around the battlements and enjoy stunning views. And even if you’re visiting Snowdonia to hike or go climbing in the mountains, a visit to Conwy Castle makes a great cultural addition to your adventures.

Another UNESCO–listed castle in Wales on the edge of Snowdonia, Harlech Castle sits on cliffs overlooking sand dunes and the Irish Sea. It’s one of the most dramatic coastal castles in Wales, but it’s also the simplest of the many castles in Wales that were built by Edward I (possibly because the steep slopes already provide significant military protection).

It was constructed in the late-13th century and was attacked many times. It even endured a 7-year siege—the longest siege in British history—during the Wars of the Roses (in the mid-to-late 15th century). Nowadays, it makes a great addition to a tour of Welsh castles.

If you only have time to visit one castle in Wales, make it Caernarfon Castle (Carnarvon Castle). Another of Edward I’s castles, this polygonal fort-palace is generally considered one of the best Welsh castles—and, one of the greatest medieval buildings in the world.

It was constructed on the site of a Roman fort and took 47 years to complete. While visiting, you can climb the turrets and also learn more about Welsh castle history through audio guides. Located on the River Seiont, across from the island of Anglesey, Caernarfon Castle is an easy addition to any visit to North Wales.

Caerphilly Castle (Castell Caerffili) is the largest castle in Wales (the second-largest in the UK, after Windsor Castle) and is surrounded by a restored moat. These days it proudly flies the Welsh flag, emblazoned with a red dragon, but this castle was actually built in the second half of the 13th century by the English as protection against the growing power of Welsh prince, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd. It’s also easy to get to—just 8 miles (12 kilometers) north of Cardiff—and makes a good day trip from the capital.

The most ruined of the country’s castles to make this list, crumbling Castell Dinas Bran sits on a hilltop above the north-eastern Welsh town of Llangollen. The building’s history has been a subject of debate, but it was probably constructed in the middle of the 13th century—and historians believe it was likely ruined shortly after. Whatever its history, Dinas Bran is one of the most intriguing historic castles in Wales.

To reach it, you can hike up from Llangollen along a zigzag path, or drive up a narrow track (though there’s very limited parking). The walk is a steep climb, but you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley. Llangollen is also known for its rafting, canoeing, and canyoning adventures, so a trek to the ruins can be just one part of an active itinerary.

Wales’ National Eisteddfod is the largest cultural gathering in Europe. These days it’s held in a different location every year, but it started out in Cardigan, in West Wales, as a celebration: when Rhys ap Gruffydd finished rebuilding Cardigan Castle (Castell Aberteifi) in 1176, he hosted a gathering of musicians and poets. The gathering became a tradition that blossomed and grew over the centuries. Unfortunately, the castle itself eventually fell into disrepair, but it’s now been thoroughly revitalized with a Georgian house, gardens, a B&B, vacation rentals, and a restaurant.

Cardiff Castle (Castell Caerdydd) has one of the most layered histories of any Welsh castle: the Romans built the first fortification here, the Normans built the stone keep, the medieval lords of Glamorgan built the house, and the 19th-century owners transformed it into a Victorian Gothic home.

Nowadays, you can take a free self-guided audio tour, check out the Roman walls, see the Norman keep, visit the Victorian apartments, learn about local history at the Firing Line Museum, walk the battlement walls, see the reconstructed World War II–era shelters, and more. You can also just enjoy a lovely picnic in the surrounding park and grounds.

Located on the west coast of Wales, Pembroke Castle (Castell Penfro) is one of the oldest castles in Wales, built at the end of the 11th century. It’s situated on a rocky cliff overlooking the beachside village of Milford Haven, and it has great views. Because Milford Haven is a popular summer retreat, this is also one of the most family-friendly castles in Wales. Additionally, Pembroke Castle’s main claim to fame is that it was the birthplace of Henry Tudor, who became Henry VII of England and began the illustrious and notorious line of Tudor monarchs, making it a must for fans of British history.

While there are many ancient castles in Wales, Chepstow Castle (Castell Cas-gwent), in South Wales, is the oldest surviving post-Roman stone fortification in Britain, having been built in 1067—just a year after the start of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Chepstow Castle is now mostly ruins, but that doesn’t detract from the majesty of its location, on a cliff above the River Wye. Chepstow is also just on the Welsh side of the Wales–England border, so it’s easy to visit from either Cardiff, Wales or Bristol, England.

Constructed in the 1430s—around 150 years after many other medieval castles of Wales—Raglan Castle was built more to impress than to seriously defend. In its heyday, it had fine Renaissance gardens and was a fashionable country home for the earls of Worcester, but it was deliberately destroyed after it fell in the English Civil War of the mid-17th century.

Some artifacts have been recovered over the centuries, and you can now see them in the visitor center. The famed gardens are sadly gone, though, but the surrounding countryside is beautiful and peaceful. Raglan Castle is also conveniently near Tintern Abbey, another must-visit sight in Monmouthshire.

More of a stately home than a solid fortification, Powis Castle (Castell Powys) was originally built in the late 13th century. Its current splendor, however, dates to the late 18th century, when Lord Powis’ daughter married into the Clive family (which had been instrumental in the establishment of the East India Company in Bengal) and transferred many of the spoils of British colonialism back home.

Today, Powis Castle houses the Clive Museum, which holds the largest private collection of South and East Asian antiquities in the UK (making this one of the more unique castles to visit in Wales). Some items were bought by or gifted to East India Company officials, but many were looted during Britain’s colonial rule of India.